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Darwin L. Judge information needed

July 22, 2013 - Mike Donahey

Journalist turned author Nick Mills of Boston is writing a book on the Vietnam war, and it will include a section about the late L/Cpl. Darwin L. Judge of Marshalltown.

Mills, a Vietnam veteran, asked my help recently in locating people who knew Judge.

I am asking readers to assist, as my resources are limited. Judge was one of the last military personnel killed in Vietnam. It was April 29, 1975, and Judge, accompanied by fellow Marine Cpl. Charles McMahon of Woburn, Mass., were on guard duty at Tan Son Nhut airport when a North Vietnamese rocket struck their position, killing them both. They died just hours before the beginning of the evacuation of Saigon, which ended April 30, 1975. McMahon will be included in Mills' book as well.

Mark Frank, of Sibley, who was Judge's Scoutmaster in Troop 310, wrote a letter to the Times-Republican editor three years ago about Judge.

“Darwin was the type of boy who had questions for everything, wanting to learn and help other members of his troop. Let us not forget this young man and the freedom he stood for. Freedom does have a price and Darwin paid the ultimate for us,” wrote Frank.

A friend of Judge's, John Grindstaff, who graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1974 with him, said: “He was always devoted to his country and I attempted to follow his patriotism. I have always felt a deep sense of loss from his passing and that of my brother-in-law, who was also killed in Vietnam. He was a true hero and a great friend.”

A large color photo of Judge is displayed prominently near MHS's main entrance. Additionally, a Marshalltown park on 12th Street is named in his honor.

Judge is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. His parents, Henry and Ida are deceased. Henry died in 2002, and Ida passed in 2011. Anyone who knew Judge should contact me at 641-753-6611 x 252, or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com, and I will forward information to Mills.